Success Stories

Raider and Hammy in the kitchen learning how to open the bucket of dog food. Raider is learning many things from Laura and Hammy…not all of them “good dog” things!

Hi Friends,One more update and some pictures from our Thanksgiving break.​Raider continues to fit right in with his new pack. He has joined Hammy and Laura for our morning walk (we keep it pretty slow), and is doing pretty well staying calm. Raider readily lets Hammy take the lead, and the only time I have to step in is when the two of them smell a trail and want to take off chasing whatever it is. He seems eager to learn and always wants to please, and when Laura (the bringer of chaos!!) instigates crazy play time Raider comes to me to “tell on her”. (Laura has a bit of a crush on Raider.) Raider is still not completely house broken, but I can tell he is getting the message (peer pressure from Hammy) that pee pees go outside, and he is marking inside the house less and less each week.

Our daughter loves having so many “puppies” and Raider is very tolerant of her kisses and love…he’s even learned how to open the baby gate and go into her room to find her. Last week he climbed into her bed and fell asleep. He was so quiet I forgot he was there until she climbed in too and started jumping on the bed. Raider raised his head (as she was jumping around him and bouncing him up and down) and looked at me as if to say “it’s okay, she’s the baby”.

He has gotten pretty attached to our family, the other two dogs, and me in particular. He cries when he gets “left out” and especially when I leave, but Mike knows how to bribe him with treats so he should be okay when I go to a conference this coming weekend.

As I’ve mentioned before, his next appointments are December 14 and 15 with Dr. Pettigrew. Positive thoughts are always welcome!

Raider trying to figure out how he can fit into the toddler’s bean bag chair. Eventually he gave up and lay in front of the chair on the hard wood, even though both couches were free at the time.

Hammy, Laura, and Raider passed out on the couches. (Mike sent me this picture and said “I have nowhere to sit!”

Hi Shelter Friends,I just wanted to send a quick update on Raider’s first night…He was a bit anxious (as can be expected), but it didn’t help that Hammy and Laura could see him get out of the van and come in the other door, so they were making quite a fuss.We let him explore a couple rooms of the house,

Then got him settled in the bedroom. He was initially afraid of the cat, but slowly they made friends and he is very gentle with her. (Good boy!!)

He hasn’t eaten his dog food yet, so this morning after 4:30 am pee pee walk he got cheese and cat treats (no judgment zone here, right? J). Can you believe he doesn’t like peanut butter kongs or milk bones?

He slept well and didn’t make a sound all night (in fact he hasn’t made a peep since I picked him up yesterday).He was wagging his tail this morning while investigating a mirror (apparently he’s never seen one!), and overall seemed a little more confident.

After Hammy and Laura’s 5:00 am patrol through the woods,

The three of them got to see each other through a crack in the bedroom door and all seemed very excited to meet (happy tail wagging all around)! So, since that brief meeting went well we may try to introduce them this weekend with a group walk.

I’m sure Raider will eat eventually, but I may get some of his favorite treats (bacon and cheese) to mix into his dog food for encouragement.I’ll keep you posted, happy weekend everyone!

Cindy

Thank you SO MUCH for the update and for fostering our special boy! More updates to come!

Oct 31 is now a special day for us because on Oct 31 2016 this sweet little defected pain in the butt came into our lives. She took months upon months to potty train, started with epilepsy in May, and has loved us unconditionally since the moment she met us. She is wild, cuddly and so forgiving.

Thank you for sharing this lovely story! Thank you for caring for this special girl.

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